Welcome to The Pet Wagon Hotel and Daycare. Our first two core objectives for your dog while visiting us are striving for the highest levels of safety and freedom. We also maintain the strictest sanitation levels in the industry. All of these combined, will provide your dog the basic elements for optimal enjoyment while visiting The Pet Wagon. It is important for you, the client, to understand that every rule or procedure is designed to maximize these three core beliefs: safety, freedom and sanitation.

• Does my dog goes outside for playtime and social interaction?
  On average, dogs spend 4/6 hrs of time outside daily. Both daycare and boarding dogs go outside for a potty break as soon as they get dropped off at the facility. Group play sessions are usually between 9-11:30 am and 12:30-3:30 pm. Daycare dogs get an additional individual potty break between 4-5 pm. We are very mindful of extreme weather situations. We monitor weather on a hour/daily basis to assure your dog will have the safest time outside regardless of breed, age and physical conditioning level . We have indoor and outdoor covered play areas for dogs to still enjoy playtime when weather is less than desirable.
• What is a typical day when boarding?
  Boarders go outside between 6:30 am-7 am. After this let out, dogs come inside for breakfast and join the rest of the daycare visitors for group play between 9-11:30 am and 12:30-3:30 pm. Boarders will have dinner between 3:30-5:30 pm and go out for the last potty between 5:30-7 pm.
• Where does my dog sleep?
  We have different size suites, playpens and crates available. Based on availability and specific temperament, we will accommodate dogs in the most suitable arrangement to maximize safety and reduce stress. All dogs, regardless of where they are boarded, have the same routine and play time. We do not have resident staff, although members of the staff may stay overnight during extreme weather conditions or busy holidays. We also have closed video monitoring system in place which is reviewed constantly by management.
• What about food? Do I need to bring a bowl? Are treats and toys allowed?
  We request that you bring the food in portions, ideally in ziplock bags or something similar. We have stainless steel food bowls that are cleaned after every feeding so there is no need to bring additional bowls. We only allow elevated bowls or slow feeder bowls under special circumstances. Treats are allowed. Due to safety concerns, we do not allow toys or chew bones like rawhides. If you need to extend your stay or did not bring any food, we offer high quality Purina Pro Plan for Sensitive Skin and Stomach in kibble or wet form for an additional fee. Fresh water is offered in all play areas and suites at all times.
• My dogs is taking medication, can you administer it?
  Per your direction, our team can administer oral medications, ear medication, ointments, etc. We administer medication at no extra cost to you. Please make sure your vet has approved the protocol if the medication is not over the counter. Check if a specific over the counter medication is safe for your dog before you decide its use.
• Do you provide beds and blankets or do we need to bring our own?
  No personal bed or blankets are allowed. We provide kuranda cot beds in each suite. Blankets are supplied by request. If we notice your dog chewing or destroying blankets or bedding, it is our recommendation not to use such items in order to assure your dog’s safety. They could get an stomach obstruction from ingesting chunks of fabric.
• How do you introduce my dog to a group? How do you keep dogs safe?
  We divide our play yards by activity levels, personality and dog size. We decide the number of dogs in each group by keeping in mind management feasibility and accounting for random reactions as is normal in canine social ethology. Each play yard is constantly supervised to keep interactions safe and balanced. Some dogs may get overwhelmed or overstimulated in a group environment and do better playing one on one with another dog that is a good match in size, personality and energy.
  
  On the first day at The Pet Wagon, it is our protocol to have a “long line” on your dog. Since we are unfamiliar with your dog, this is a good way to get quick control of your dog in case any trouble arises. Long lines are often used as a tool to give guidance to dogs that may need to be introduced to a new play area or for dogs that have not attended the facility for a few months and need to be habituated to the groups. We also use the long lines to guide dogs to learn how to play; for example: Running into dogs or dogs that display unsafe behaviors like humping, dominance, stalking, herding, incessant barking, ingesting feces, leaves, gravel; digging, jumping fences, getting protective over items like rocks-leaves-water, etc.
  
  Some dogs will get overstimulated during play time and we use long lines to slow/calm them down to avoid potential aggressive responses. Other tools we use are water spray bottles or just simple pokes to disagree with their maladaptive behaviors as to preserve safety for all. We also provide emotional/affection/praise rewards to communicate the right behaviors. We use these tools with the noble goal of assuring your dog’s safety and full enjoyment of their time with us. You may not know, but, dogs feel more confident and at ease in an environment of constructive supervision and guidance.
  
  If we deem it necessary, we may put into place more advanced behavior modification protocols with your dog. We will discuss with you how we intend to teach your dog better manners. Such suggestions may entail a combination of a training e-collar, one on one playtime with a member of our staff and/or suggesting you to enroll your dog in additional exercise activities such as our great nature walk service (not available at all locations).
  
  We are absolute experts in behavior modification as it is the core of our practice. Our boarding facility was developed and modeled after the behavior philosophies of our owner/founder Juan Galvis. We also own one of the most successful canine behavior modification programs in the nation, dogabilitync.com located in the Durham/Raleigh area.
  
  None of the processes we will suggest, will present any risks of harm or diminish your dog’s enjoyment of their time with us. This is an absolutely complimentary service that we offer to provide dogs with more freedom and safety as they learn the ropes of sharing in community with their peers. We will only use a training collar after discussing it with you and only with your consent. As stated before, we strive to have a safe and harmonious facility. Some dogs may take a couple of days to adjust or they may need constant input and supervision. We understand this, and, we pride ourselves in helping the most difficult dogs. Please do not consider the suggestions made to you with a feeling that your dog is a problem or a nuisance to us.
  
  However, if you are not willing to work with us on raising your dog’s level of etiquette and proper behavior we reserve the right to reject your patronage. Most folks welcome our suggestions very openly and are glad that we take steps other kennels don’t to improve your dog’s life. If you know of any potential behavior issues with your dog, please let us know so we can aware of the situation properly. Unlike other kennels, we help a many of dog owners that struggle with their dogs and have not been accepted or in many cases banned from other boarding facilities. We have the knowledge, experience and tools to help some of these clients who otherwise would have no other options for boarding and daycare.
  
  
• Do you accept intact dogs?
  Yes, we allow unaltered male and female dogs to attend daycare or boarding. We will not allow copulation while in our care.
• Do you send updates? What do you do in the case of an emergency?
  We do our best to send daily pictures by text to you. Pictures may be sent at different times of the day based on our schedule. If there are any issues with your dog, either behavioral or health related, you will be the first person to know. In the event there is an emergency with your dog, and we can not reach you or the emergency contact you provided, we will take your dog to the closest available veterinary clinic for treatment. If there is a true life or death situation contacting you will be second priority and your dog will be promptly transported to the closest emergency facility.
• Do you groom dogs?
  Our Melbourne, FL facility is the only equipped with professional grooming services such as cuts. The other facilities only offer baths, ear cleaning, nail trims and nail dremmels. You can schedule any of these services when you drop off for boarding or daycare.
• Do I need to make a reservation for daycare or boarding?
  You do not need to make a reservation for daycare. However, reservations are required for boarding. Holiday boarding reservation will require a non refundable deposit. We suggest you make your summer and holiday reservations with plenty of time to ensure a spot for your dog. We fill up fast!

Last, but not least, if you have any issues or concerns about any of the services we offer or have offered to you, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss. We strive to deliver the best possible service to you, but sometimes circumstances may present and mistakes are made. Please let us know of any issues as soon as possible so we can address the situation.

Maria Arenas, our co-owner/company general manager’s email is: maria@thepetwagon.com She will gladly attend to your concerns.

In closing, we appreciate all the thousands of families that have supported The Pet Wagon since the company was founded in 2009. It is a privilege to serve you. We feel that we had, and continue to have a positive impact in improving the Human-Canine bond and look forward to sharing many more years assisting your journey of dog ownership!

Yours Truly,


Juan F Galvis
President/Owner

www.thepetwagon.com
www.dogabilitync.com